The Kogi State House of Assembly has demanded the immediate dismissal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, following accusations of “unprofessional” conduct in handling the case against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Background

Earlier this year, the Assembly had requested that the EFCC remove the ‘wanted’ tag placed on Bello. The legislators, during a plenary session in Lokoja, the state capital, alleged that Olukoyede’s actions were politically motivated and aimed at humiliating both the former and current governors of the state.

Allegations Against the EFCC

The lawmakers accused the EFCC of conducting an attack on the Kogi State Government Lodge, describing it as an assault on the Governor, Usman Ododo, and the people of Kogi State. They further alleged that the EFCC’s actions amounted to an assassination attempt on both the former and incumbent governors.

Motion of Urgent Public Importance

This call for Olukoyede’s removal followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Akus Lawal of Ankpa 1 State Constituency. The motion, seconded by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi of Mopamuro State Constituency, claimed that the EFCC was out to humiliate and potentially harm the current and former governors.

Hon. Lawal stated that the EFCC’s conduct was aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the state, while Hon. Olawunmi argued that the Audited Financial Reports of the State had been transparently published, asserting that no money was missing to justify the EFCC’s actions.

Calls for Prosecution of the EFCC Chairman

Hon. Abu Jibril of Ajaokuta State Constituency called for the prosecution of the EFCC Chairman, accusing him of attempting to kill the governor. He urged the President to remove Olukoyede immediately, stating that the chairman had demonstrated incompetence in leading an impartial agency like the EFCC.

Hon. Bode Ogunmola of Ogori/Magongo State Constituency criticized the EFCC’s actions, stating, “For the EFCC Chairman to order that fire be opened on the official lodge of the Governor, he should be sacked and prosecuted. We should be told why he wants to kill our Governor.”

Claims of Political Bias

The Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, alleged that EFCC officials had been begging the former Governor to pretend as if he had been arrested. He described the incident as an embarrassing act that suggested the EFCC was acting on a script written by political enemies of the former governor.

He further claimed that a coup attempt was committed at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge and called on the President to immediately remove the EFCC Chairman to save the nation from further embarrassment.

Criticism from the Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, stated, “The EFCC is just trying to give the former Governor a bad name through their media trial. The EFCC is not sincere in this fight. It has an agenda it is pursuing, and the entire people of the state, particularly the women and youths, will not accept this.”

Commendation for President Bola Tinubu

In contrast, the Assembly commended President Bola Tinubu for his economic policies, which they believe are aimed at building a strong economy. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf, emphasized the House's support for the President’s initiatives.

Conclusion

The Assembly’s resolution formally categorized the April 17 and September 18 incidents as assassination attempts on the former Governor and a threat to the current Governor. The lawmakers concluded that the EFCC’s conduct demonstrated a disregard for the law and urged the President to replace Olukoyede with a more competent officer who would uphold the rule of law.

“The House has resolved that the President should relieve him of his appointment with immediate effect and replace him with a competent officer who will give Mr. President’s crusade for rule of law the needed effectiveness,” the lawmakers demanded.